Job dissatisfaction among retail employees: a study of three leading UK retailers

Abstract

Despite the general awareness that working in retailing is unattractive to many workers, relatively little is known about which aspects of retailing are actually disliked, or how that varies across groups within the workforce, employers, or types of store. Initial analyses from an extensive survey of UK retail employees show that statistically significant variations exist in terms of dislike of retail employment and particular aspects of that employment. Exploratory factor analysis shows that while a general dimension of discontent is identifiable, there are also specific concerns, such as among more senior staff who are particularly concerned about long hours, and younger employees frustrated at a perceived lack of career progression. However, there is also a dimension of relative contentment with work circumstances among large numbers of female part-time workers and older staff.

Keywords:

• retailing
• human resources
• employees
• job satisfaction

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the European Social Fund and Nottingham Trent University that made this study possible.